Cain pick sets a bad precedent

Tom Walker

? Parent from Fort Gratiot: "I'm just calling because I can imagine the headline - 'Port Huron Area School District steals Marysville Public School superintendent.' We teach our kids every day not to steal, and they're talking in the classrooms. And yet now the PHASD had pulled an unethical move. I'm not saying this is something that's not being done with other business situations. But really. We're stooping so low as to steal another superintendent from another school district and put that district in a bind. At the end of the year. What does that say for the character of James Cain as well, who is willing to just up and leave a district for a bigger district? I would hope that this is printed, because I'm pretty sure that's going to be our Friday morning headline. Cain to become PHASD superintendent. And that's really unethical."

? Disgruntled Taxpayer and Former Teacher: "I have absolutely no criticism of Mr. Cain, the Port Huron Area School District's new superintendent. But I am appalled that the president and vice president of the school board went beyond the perimeters to hire him. We hired a search firm and paid more than $11,000, plus expenses. I believe that the president and vice president overstepped their boundaries and should not be re-elected."

I believe President Jeff Stout and Vice President Rasha Demashkieh showed leadership when the school district truly needed it.

? Donna from Algonac: "I also will be voting no on the Aug. 5 library millage renewal. Library officials let the county board of commissioners borrow $200,000 interest-free for 10 years. If they can afford to give away that kind of money for 10 years, they don't need any from me. You don't let someone borrow money, money we give you for the libraries, and then come with your hand out and want us to give you more. It doesn't work like that. When I voted on the library and parks, I thought that is where my dollars stayed. Now, I don't trust you with my money."

There is no disputing library officials' bad judgment. But they also made it clear that if the tax renewal doesn't pass, our libraries will close. That loss is too great for our community to accept.

? No Name: "I am writing in support for 'Let cyclists ride against traffic,' the June 8 letter from Wilfred Putze. Wilfred is right, and his proposal can save a life. I always try to look everywhere possible, but it is what you're not expecting that scares you the most. I have had a driver's license since 1984, but I can't afford to buy a car. I use alternative transportation, Blue Water Area Transit, my feet, friends, family and primarily my bike (most of the time with a helmet). But that helmet couldn't save my life if I were hit by a car or truck. More dangerous than a driver with a phone or texting is the idiot who refused to turn it off! As a cyclist at least once a week (or any time I am by 24th Street) I get the life scared out of me from the overwhelming number of gung-ho speedy, lead-foot 'me-first' drivers who have long abandoned the rules and laws of the road. "

? Avid bicyclist from St. Clair County: "Our parks and recreation millage should be used for inland bike trails, too. A lot of the money is going to the Bridge-to-Bay Trail which is a good idea. But a lot of those communities already have sidewalks in place. What we need to do is build the infrastructure in St. Clair County to go out say, West Water, where two died. Let's get it together, county parks."